Richard G

Rich, I deeply apologise if anything I have posted as seemed like an attack on you personally, it certainly wasn't meant that way. Richard

I think the Mod hosts really need to come up with a definite set of rules of what is and isn't allowed because a post above seems to contradict another post of the group build rules in the "sticky" in the group build folder. Greece and Turkey have just fallen by the wayside, Spain and Portugal next? Norway must be on shaky ground as well. I was told my ship entry was fine last week but today I don't see how it can be done hence my withdrawal. Shipbuilders were welcomed from the moment this group build was announced and are included in the rules "sticky" but now the post above suggests the build has to be something that appears in or above central Europe along the DDR/GDR - Czech border, now I don't know but I'm pretty sure there weren't many ships facing down the 3rd Shock Army. I have to conclude therefore that that shipbuilders are no longer included in this group build, if this is so it really should have been made clear back when the group build was first announced rather than two days before it commences. Sorry if this comes off as a rant

No ships then, fair enough I withdraw then. Richard

Aftermarket will be all over this, which is good - plenty of scope to go nuts. No interest in Snowberry so hopefully plenty of options will become available to do your own thing.

Graham, I've got a set of Alan Raven's Warship Perspectives on Royal Navy Camouflage and it has a 1941 Badsworth and in that he says MS1, MS3 and White. If you ask this question over on "SteelNavy.net" he might well be able to confirm it. Regards Richard

Great stuff, now that's cleared up I'm in with the WEM USS Knox kit built as the USS Pharris (that may appear or may not appear in a certain book that shall not be named) which really did exist in real life. Richard

curse this cordless keyboard,

Oh yes, up and down as well. In the book a French Aircraft Carrier is on the wrong end of a missile attack by Backfire Bombers but her F-8's get a few kills in so a French Crusader would fit in well.

NATO is only relevant north of the Tropic of Cancer at this time... . I don't think even Perry Mason could make a case there. Seriously I get your point, but as I said the working title and the book that inspired it as well as what passes for reality, it just puzzles me that it could potentially be restricted so. Richard

Hi Col, Well no as there wasn't a war, but while the US had two army corps in Europe and prepositioned equipment for rapid reinforcement as part of Operation Reforger, there would still be a need for follow on reinforcements and supplies to come over and their equipment would have to be bought over in ships, and those ships would need escorting. It is of course up to the group build "owners" as to what is and isn't allowed but I did take original the working title rather literally at the time and a major part of RSR is the Naval War in the Atlantic, It would seem strange that the most powerful maritime force in NATO and one with a major part to play in a potential war in Europe should be swept aside because it isn't based in Europe, that we can build a Royal Navy ship but not a US Navy ship doing the same job. We could build a Soviet submarine, an RN fast attack SSN but not a US one, no US navy carriers with which its was planned to operate off the coast of Norway, or worse deep into the Barents Sea (to keep the Soviet Navy at home and away from the Atlantic sea lanes was a part of this mission). We can build a Russian Backfire bomber but not its main target, a TU-95 recon bird but not what it's looking for, we can build a Soviet anything to invade Iceland but not a NATO (US) response to it. The only US ship we can build is a Missile Submarine based out of Holy Loch, (and if a war had required that to go in to action the results would be unpleasant). I'm not saying build everything based in America, (RMP2s comments raise a smile here regarding the Koreans turning up) but a ship of the US Atlantic fleet would have just as much to do with the war in Europe as a ship of the Royal Navy. the Dutch Navy, the German's, the Greek's, Italian, Spanish, Belgian, French, Danish, Norwegian and even the Luxembourg navy. Regards Richard

So to clarify then, would a U.S Navy ship based out of Norfolk Virginia escorting convoys across the North Atlantic count? Richard

Wow, can't wait to see this one, and the other DH Twin boom's listed (Plus any future ones too) Richard

Okay, thanks for your help. Richard

Hello there, are you still the UK distributer for Great Wall Hobby kits? If so could you please advise how I can go about getting a replacement canopy for the Mig-29 9-12 early as the one I have is cracked in two. Any help or assistance would be gratefully received. Richard

It matches the furniture ,

Darby, Just a recommendation but never rely on what the colour looks like in the instructions, its not unknown for companies to light/darken or alter colours so the pattern stands out. Go by the name of the paints and either get ready mixed from sovereign or match them to the colour chips. Richard

Ha, a whole weekend of sunlight - take that L.A

Excellent stuff, really looks the part. Richard

Right, some progress made. Miami is now in the water

Welcome , that's a nice Mig there, look forward to seeing the F-14. Richard

Just a short update, I have been cleaning up the two main superstructure pieces and adding photo etch doors and fire hoses... The two parts are just placed in position, there are several platforms to fit on the lower bridge area which I'd want to fit before painting then fitting them in place. Richard

Walk away now, just walk away. Do not pass go do not give them any money.

Right, on with the build, hull now painted. 20-B deck blue is a very dark navy blue from the tin but the pacific sun very quickly faded it so I put a fair amount of white and light blue in to tone it down a lot, blends in with the ocean grey quite well to. I need to touch up a couple of sports on the foredeck where some light grey has encroached. Richard

Just three I can think of, Belfast, San Francisco and Indianapolis. You can get three German cruisers for heavens sake, and about a dozen Japanese ones. Still this isn't the place to question the manufacturers lack of taste.

No problem Gremlin, it's mainly resin with brass photo-etch and white metal. It's one of their last kits so is much better than the earlier ones with less clean up required, very small pour plugs and I haven't found any holes where their shouldn't be. I will be replacing the gun barrels with brass ones, and a fair amount of the white metal with replacement parts from Flyhawk and L'.Arsenal. Richard